DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke star and Miami Heat forward Shane Battier was selected as the winner of the Magic Johnson Award for his excellence on the court and cooperation with the media and fans, as voted on by members of the Pro Basketball Writers Association.

A Duke player has received the Magic Johnson Award five times, including Grant Hill twice (2004-05, 2007-08), and Elton Brand (2005-06) and Luol Deng (2006-07) once each. Other winners of the Magic Johnson Award include Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Brandon Roy and Ray Allen.

Battier has appeared in 70 games with the Eastern Conference-leading Heat while averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and over 24 minutes per game. He is shooting a career-best 42.5 percent (130-of-306) from three-point range and has helped the Heat to the best record in the NBA (61-16), which ties the franchise’s season wins record.

Tweeted Battier, “Really proud of being selected as the recipient of the Magic Johnson Award. Magic was a hero of mine growing up. Great group of winners too.”

Battier was one of 12 players nominated for the award, including Heat teammates LeBron James and Ray Allen. Others nominated were Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, Jamal Crawford and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies.

DURHAM, N.C. – Former Duke star and Miami Heat forward Shane Battier was selected as the winner of the Magic Johnson Award for his excellence on the court and cooperation with the media and fans, as voted on by members of the Pro Basketball Writers Association.

A Duke player has received the Magic Johnson Award five times, including Grant Hill twice (2004-05, 2007-08), and Elton Brand (2005-06) and Luol Deng (2006-07) once each. Other winners of the Magic Johnson Award include Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Brandon Roy and Ray Allen.

Battier has appeared in 70 games with the Eastern Conference-leading Heat while averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and over 24 minutes per game. He is shooting a career-best 42.5 percent (130-of-306) from three-point range and has helped the Heat to the best record in the NBA (61-16), which ties the franchise’s season wins record.

Tweeted Battier, “Really proud of being selected as the recipient of the Magic Johnson Award. Magic was a hero of mine growing up. Great group of winners too.”

Battier was one of 12 players nominated for the award, including Heat teammates LeBron James and Ray Allen. Others nominated were Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, Jamal Crawford and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies.